Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 edition. Excerpt: ... The moon, methinks, looks with a watery eye; And when she weeps, weeps every little flower, Lamenting some enforced chastity. Tie up my love's tongue, bring him silently. [Exeunt. Scene II. Another Part of the Wood. Enter Oberon. Oberon. I wonder if Titania be awak'd; Then, what it was that next came in her eye, Which she must dote on in extremity.1 Enter Puck. Here comes my messenger. How now, mad spirit! What night rule2 now about this haunted grove? Puck. My mistress with a monster is in love. Near to her close and consecrated bower, While she was in her dull and sleeping hour, A crew of patches,3 rude mechanicals,4 That work for bread upon Athenian stalls, Were met together to rehearse a play Intended for great Theseus' nuptial day. The shallowest thickskin of that barren sort, r> Who Pyramus presented, in their sport Forsook his scene and enter'd in a brake: When I did him at this advantage take, An ass's nole6 I fixed on his head: Anon his Thisbe must be answered, And forth my mimic7 comes. When they him spy, As wild geese that the creeping fowler eye, 1 "In extremity," i.e., excessively. 2 Work or conduct customary in the night. 3 Dullards. 4 Mechanics. 6 "Barren sort," i.e., stupid set. 6 A grotesque name for head. 7 Player. Or russet-pated choughs, many in sort,1 Rising and cawing at the gun's report, Sever themselves and madly sweep the sky, So, at his sight, away his fellows fly; And, at our stamp, here o'er and o'er one falls; He murder cries and help from Athens calls. Their sense thus weak, lost with their fears thus strong, Made senseless things begin to do them wrong; For briers and thorns at their apparel snatch; Some, sleeves; some DEGREES, hats; from yielders all things catch. I led them on in this distracted fear, And left...